Hawksbill-Ledge Trail Loop (12-3-17)

Hawksbill Mountain is the northernmost of three peaks which rise like giant stone sentinels from the east rim of Linville Gorge. Deriving its name from the sharp, slanted ledges which stand out like beaks from its summit, Hawksbill commands some of the most awe-inspiring views of the Gorge one can find. The summit rises to a respectable elevation of just over 4,000-feet and is accessible by a well-traveled but steep path which leads 1.5-miles up from a frequently busy parking area along Table Rock Road. Up to this point, the official trail was the only way I had ever visited Hawksbill. Little did I know there was another route to the summit, one that requires a great deal more energy along with offering precious rugged solitude. This route is known as the Ledge Trail and is one of Linville Gorge's many unofficial paths, created by climbers and hikers looking to discover new and remote lesser-known corners of the gorge. As such there is no trailhead for the Ledge Trail and you likely won't find it printed on most trail maps you'll find. Though the path is easily followed you have to know where to look if you want to find it, so a good GPS is required for this particular trek. That, or maybe contact a friend (as I had to) to point you in the right direction.

The Ledge Trail begins off Table Rock Road about a half-mile south of the official Hawksbill parking area. The path enters the woods in a very unassuming manner...like I've said, if you don't know where to look you probably would never see it. From the road it heads towards the lip of the gorge on a fairly level grade and, for the most part, is easy to follow. Along the way the trail crosses a couple of old slide areas where rocks tumbling from the cliffs above now rest among the trees on the slopes below. Just before turning to start to climb the mountain the path also passes by a nice open ledge with views into the middle of the gorge. Past this ledge the character of the trail changes dramatically. As it turns to assault the peak form the west it becomes exceedingly steep and rugged. Though there are no views it's still a spectacular climb as the path follows the base of the towering multi-colored cliffs which comprise Hawksbill's western face. In many places the trail is faint as you scramble up, over, and around massive fallen boulders. It's spectacularly rugged. The climb along the cliffs continues for about a half mile until the point where the Ledge Trail begins to circle around the north side of the summit emerging onto the Hawksbill Trail less than a quarter mile from the top. At that point it was a quick climb to the summit where I soaked in all the amazingly scenic eye-candy Hawksbill has to offer. It's a mountain I will never tire of visiting, as I'm sure you'll understand as you browse the album.

From the summit I would simply descend via the familiar Hawksbill Trail back to Table Rock Road and finish up with a half-mile road walk to where I started. Overall, this was one of the more spectacular hikes I have ever undertaken at Linville Gorge...and if you've perused any of my other albums you'll know what high praise that is. It's not an altogether long hike but the ruggedness of it will have your legs feeling like they've traveled much more than the three miles they have, believe me. So, without further adieu I present to you an ascent of Hawksbill Mountain like few people get to see. This is a tough one so make sure you tie your boots tight and don't forget to hydrate. Also, as always....ENJOY!!!

Hawksbill-Ledge Trail Loop, Burke County (12-3-17)

My route as tracked by the Gaia GPS app and depicted a la Google Earth...

Hawksbill Mountain-Ledge Trail Loop Route Map

My route as tracked by the Gaia GPS app...

Ledge Trail Trailhead (Table Rock Road)

Id be starting (and ending) this hike along the Table Rock Road about a half mile south of the official Hawksbill Trailhead. The Ledge Trail leaves the road a few dozen feet ahead in this shot on the left. It completely unmarked and not entirely obvious but if you note the primitive campsite across the road you'll know you're in the right spot...

Ledge Trail Trailhead (Table Rock Road)

This is the unassuming start to the Ledge Trail as it leaves Table Rock Road. It's completely unmarked and a bit hard to spot and is located directly across the road from a large primitive campsite...

Ledge Trail

The faint yet discernible trail as it enters the woods from the Table Rock Road...

Ledge Trail-Spence Ridge Connector Path Junction

Perhaps a quarter mile in I reached the easily missed junction with the short connector path which leads south to the Spence Ridge Trail. The junction was flagged when I visited and would be easily missed were it not for that marking...

Ledge Trail

The start of the trail was enjoyably flat passing through a mixed pine-hardwood forest as it heads towards the rim of the gorge...

Ledge Trail

As the trail nears the edge of the gorge it descends a bit and then enters the first of a couple large rock slide areas...

Ledge Trail

Crossing the first of the slide areas the woodlands open up and the trail becomes a bit hard to discern. Luckily, some enterprising hikers had taken it upon themselves to build a series of small cairns to help those coming after stay in the correct route...

Ledge Trail

Beyond the first slide the trail steepens in a hurry...

Ledge Trail

The trail as it begins to follow the edge of the gorge beyond the first slide...

Ledge Trail

The second slide area I came to was much larger than the first one. This shot looks upwards towards the summit of Hawksbill which could be seen on occasion towering above through the trees...

Ledge Trail

This was a tricky stretch of trail to navigate, not only because of the maze of boulders but because everything was set on a very steep slant as you can see here...

Ledge Trail

Re-entering the woods past the second slide...

Ledge Trail

Not far beyond the second slide a short spur path leads out to a small overlook into the gorge...

Ledge Trail

The view of the middle gorge from the small outcrop was wonderful. Directly across (slightly left of center) are the cliffs atop which sits the famous 'Wiseman's View'. The peak to the right of center is known as Laurel Knob (4,050')...

Ledge Trail

Looking towards the upper gorge from the outcrop...

Ledge Trail

Above the overlook the character of the trail changed dramatically. Things got real steep and real rugged in a hurry...

Ledge Trail

Suddenly the route pulled right up against the summit cliffs of Hawksbill for the first time...

Ledge Trail

As you can tell here, the route had turned quite steep...

Ledge Trail

At this point, I must admit, I lost the trail briefly. I soon discovered the trail must have turned uphill prior to reaching this ledge at some point...

(near) Ledge Trail

Passing the ledge in the previous shot the false path I was following petered out in a tangle of mountain laurel. A quick look at my GPS showed that the Ledge Trail was now a short distance uphill from me so I struck out in that direction almost on hands and knees...

Ledge Trail

Thankfully my GPS data was spot on and I soon re-discovered the trail right alongside the base of the main cliffs...

Ledge Trail

Entering the stretch of trail which gives the path its name...

Ledge Trail

Pulling up alongside the cliffs the route again gets a bit hard to follow. That doesn't really matter though as the only practical route is to follow the open area of rockfall directly beneath the cliff face...

Ledge Trail

At one point the trail actually gets squeezed up under a section of overhanging cliffs. This was amazing...

Ledge Trail

Climbing ever higher, the cliffs to my right only got bigger and bigger...

Ledge Trail

Looking up the summit cliffs of Hawksbill...

Ledge Trail

A huge dead Hemlock almost seems to be leaning against the massive cliff face...

Ledge Trail

Like I said earlier this stretch of trail is a bit messy to follow. It's pretty much a choose-your-own-adventure but I found if you just follow the base of the cliffs I managed to stay pretty much on track...

Ledge Trail

The rhododendron below the cliffs had a very careworn and beaten-down appearance. No doubt this is a difficult place to survive due to frequent rockfall and the exposure of the area...

Ledge Trail

Looking back down along the cliffs. My route had pretty much followed the base of the massive rock wall up to this point...

Ledge Trail

The sun shining on the cliffs above revealed the beautiful variation in colors of the rock strata which make up the summit ledges of Hawksbill...

Ledge Trail

In a few places like this the trail is forced back into the surrounding tangle of rhododendron...

Ledge Trail

Another look up at the beautifully colored cliffs overhead...

Ledge Trail

Though I didn't know it my time climbing along the cliffs had come to an end at this point as the trail rounds the north side of Hawksbill...

Ledge Trail

Near the upper reached of the Ledge Trail, after it pulls a bit away from the cliffs, the route gets a bit convoluted again. Numerous side paths used by climbers and hikers branch back out towards the cliffs but the official route stays well away...

Ledge Trail

Rounding a low forested outcrop I emerged into a cozy little campsite...

Ledge Trail

Beyond the campsite the trail continues to tunnel through the laurel and rhododendron as it rounds the north side of Hawksbill...

Ledge-Hawksbill Trail Junction

Suddenly, I emerged at the north end of the Ledge Trail. Just like its opposite end, this is an unmarked junction which is no doubt ignored (thankfully) by most climbing Hawksbill...

Hawksbill Trail

It felt good to be back on an official trail again, though that didn't mean the hiking would get any easier...it's still quite a steep climb from the Ledge Trail junction to the top...

Hawksbill Trail

A small break in the trees offered a nice view over the forested hills to the east...

Hawksbill Trail

The Hawksbill Trail as it emerges onto the summit ridge...

Hawksbill Trail

From the large open area seen ahead in the previous shot it a bit unclear the direction you might need to go. To reach the summit you'll want to pick up one of the paths leaving the clearing to the immediate right. Soon, you'll find yourself climbing long slanting ledges through the pines like this towards the top...

Hawksbill Mountain Summit

Emerging onto the open summit of Hawksbill...

Hawksbill Mountain Summit

Looking back down the slope I had just climbed to the top the whole of the lower half of Linville Gorge spread out before me...

Hawksbill Mountain Summit

The misty morning sun made for a hazy yet beautiful view down to the lower gorge...

Hawksbill Mountain Summit

The views to the north are equally spectacular as the summit rocks drop off dramatically into the gorge below...